Top 6 Workout Moves

Happy last day of 2013 (can you believe it?), everyone!

This past year has honestly been one of the best years of my life. Sure, there were normal ups and downs just like most of us experience, but as a whole looking back I know that this is one of those years that I will look back, remember, and have a huge smile on my face. If you've been following along for a bit, you'd know I love my trips. They were definitely a highlight this year and I hope to continue much more of that in 2014, but what takes the cake and is the most important to me is that feeling of contentment and true happiness in my everyday life. 

It's easy to be happy when you are on vacation tanning in the sun with your favorite cocktail in hand (not that I'm wishing I were doing that right now or anything since it's 20 degrees out, snowing, and putting on a sequin skirt tonight sounds less than appealing...), but being happy to me is what I like to call, "showing up with a smile everyday". Cheesy, I know, but it's about finding joy in the little things and not just when the timing is right for you. I've really tried working on that this past year.

I'm getting to the point of this post eventually, I promise. :) Another huge contributor when looking back at this year with such positive thoughts has been my health and fitness. I have been at my fittest and healthiest this year, by far. I cut out gluten, dairy (with exceptions here and there obviously), and took up spin class once a week along with my normal workouts for the majority of the past year. I have never felt better, honestly. Spin class is my exercise saving grace. I mean, it must be good if I'm singing it's praises after averaging nearly 16 miles each class and walking out drenched in sweat. That's saying something, right? If you want to burn a lot of calories quickly and get your legs, abs, and butt into shape...start taking spin.

I also started focusing more on strength training than I have in the past. Each time I go to the gym, I head to one of the empty studio's where I can do exercises on my own and get down to it...

These are the moves (keeping it basic today) that you will find me doing and focusing most of my time on if you were to see me at the gym. I always start out by warming up with 50-100 jumping jacks and then I get into these 6 exercises. No breaks-just running through them straight through, one after the other.

For the squats and lunges (forward and backward), do them with weights (start out low if you want-even 5 lbs). I typically use a 15 lb bar behind my head for these. Earlier in the year, I started low and did maybe 30 squats and 30 lunges, but nowadays I typically try to do at least 60-70 squats and 40-50 lunges. Work those legs and booties, girls.

I try to do at least 20 push ups (real ones-none of this knee stuff) per workout. Some days I will do more and other days I will do less. If you start and can only complete 2 or 3 real ones, that's OK just work your way up. As for the sit ups, this is probably one of my stronger areas. Have I mentioned I can beat Billy any day of the week when it comes to sit ups? (and make sure not to brag at all to him about this..) On an average day I do around 45-50 sit ups. Planks-hold them for a minute. Do 3 sets. I will also do side crunches and regular crunches just to work my abs a little bit more.

If you make these moves a part of your exercise routine, you will notice a difference and you will feel stronger.

Speaking of working that booty, who saw the preview for Toned Up last night?

If you want to get some fitness motivation for the new year, watch the first episode this Thursday on Bravo! I hope this answers some questions about what my workout routine looks like. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me. Be safe tonight everyone!